Our Conservation with John Muir Award residential immerses participants in the fascinating world of conservation and ecology, bringing big ideas to life through real experiences.
You’ll venture into wild places and landscapes, explore what makes them special, and take meaningful action to protect them through hands‑on conservation tasks. Along the way, you’ll collaborate with others, share discoveries, and help shape decisions that directly support wildlife and the natural environment.
Designed for anyone with a curiosity about nature, geography, or biology, the course welcomes complete beginners as well as those looking to deepen their understanding.
By the end, participants will earn the prestigious Wild Places Guardian Award from the John Muir Trust, a recognition of their commitment to caring for the natural world.
This course is open to those aged 16-24 years old and is suitable for the residential section of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Always check with your leader before booking.
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Our young people residentials deliver a wide-ranging, enriching experience and give you the chance to develop a range of transferable skills. This can be great to include in higher education and job applications.
Around core themes of nature and landscapes, active learning, and personal and social skills, our courses promote nature connection, environmental understanding and responsibility, health and wellbeing, working well with others, resilience and curiosity.
You will be able to achieve the John Muir Award by the end of the week, and if you are doing the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, this course is also an ideal way to complete the ‘Residential’ section of the award.
Participants will also earn the prestigious Wild Places Guardian Award from the John Muir Trust, a recognition of their commitment to caring for the natural world.
See our Residential FAQs page if you’d like to know the answers to some commonly asked questions.
If these course dates do not suit you, we run similar courses at many of our other centres.
Approved Activity Provider
As an Approved Activity Provider for DofE, our opportunities meet all the requirements for DofE. We do however always recommend checking suitability with your DofE assessor before booking a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential.
Explore our range of opportunities for young people. Whether you’re looking to complete your Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, want to explore possible careers, or simply want to expand your knowledge of nature and the natural world, our range of opportunities and experiences offers something for everyone.
Example Timetable
Day 1
Introduction to course and local area
Arrive at 12pm
Afternoon - Participants will receive an introduction to the centre, followed by icebreakers and team games. There will also be an opportunity to explore the area and familiarise yourself with the local environment.
Evening - Local activities introducing the concepts of conservation and the John Muir Guardian Level Award.
Day 2
Freshwater ecology and microhabitats
Morning/afternoon - Learn and practise ecological skills to identify invertebrates and use this knowledge to assess pollution levels in our rivers and streams. You will be encouraged to develop and understanding of implications on the processes that affect this wild place.
Evening - You'll be looking at the nocturnal wildlife of the centre. Learn to set humane moth and mammal traps. Plan and lead your own bat walk with specialised detecting equipment.
Day 3
Marine habitats
Morning/afternoon - Explore a rocky shore and see how coastal habitats support marine life. Guided rock pooling will build species identification skills and ecological understanding development.
Evening - Reflection time and a chance to socialise with other course participants including the screening of a conservation film.
Day 4
Practical conservation
Morning/afternoon - Get involved with a local conservation project. You will get hands on conservation experience, be encouraged to make your own decisions about the tasks and explore how you can get into the industry through career talks and discussions with specialists.
Evening - Gather around a campfire, toast marshmallows and share stories and experiences.
Day 5
Environmental adventure and citizen science
Morning/afternoon - Support the local area by getting involved in a citizen science project - beach cleans, water testing or species surveys. Followed by a chance to step outside your comfort zone with a team adventure challenge linking outdoor activities and conservation.
Afternoon - Summarise the week and congratulate each other on achieving the John Muir Guardian Level Award.
Depart 15:00
Please note: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for participants, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at centres.
What's Included
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Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
In Course Transport -
Lunch
Before You Attend
This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 24 years old at the time of attending.
We want to ensure participants get to share in their experience with those of a similar age. Please consider what age the attendee will be on the course date and check they fit into the age category when booking. (Please see each individual course at the bottom of this page for age ranges).
When attending the residential dates which welcome 16-18 year olds, all participants will be expected to follow the behaviour and conduct rules which will be in place to safeguard young people.
If the attendee is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent/guardian. When you book, it is essential that you enter the age and attendees name in the Order Notes at the checkout.
Prior to the course, you will receive the following:
- A full kit list. Any technical equipment required will be provided so you will just need typical kit for a residential stay and being outdoors.
- An introduction to the staff delivering the course and information about the centre so you know what to expect on arrival.
- A detailed itinerary for the course, including arrival and departure instructions. On some courses there may be the opportunity to book a train station pick up and/or drop off.
- A link to an online photo consent form.
- The expectations of young people attending our courses.
- A form to share any specific dietary or medical needs.
Opportunities to attend this course
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Mon 13, July 2026 12:30 - Fri 17, July 2026 15:00
This hands‑on conservation week takes place between the impressive Nettlecombe Estate to the windswept moors and dramatic coastline of Exmoor National Park. Activities may include bird‑ringing with trained ornithologists, joining rangers for practical conservation tasks in local reserves, and exploring rocky shores while uncovering fossils millions of years old. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 18 - 24 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 03, August 2026 12:30 - Fri 07, August 2026 15:00
Take part in conservation first-hand at Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, working with rangers to protect endangered species and exploring by foot and canoe in search of otters and other wildlife. Go behind the scenes at Dartmoor Zoo, get hands-on in the labs at Plymouth University, and meet local farmers and volunteers to see how people are making positive changes for nature. This residential is open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
Sorry this course is out of stock
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Mon 10, August 2026 12:00 - Fri 14, August 2026 15:00
Explore Margam’s 850-acre parkland first-hand, working with tutors to survey ancient woodlands, freshwater streams, marshland and grasslands teeming with wildlife. Venture out to nearby Crymlyn Burrows SSSI and the Gower peninsula to investigate exceptional coastal habitats, refine identification skills, and see how we work alongside conservation groups to help protect these unique environments. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 17, August 2026 12:00 - Fri 21, August 2026 15:00
Explore Margam’s 850-acre parkland first-hand, working with tutors to survey ancient woodlands, freshwater streams, marshland and grasslands teeming with wildlife. Venture out to nearby Crymlyn Burrows SSSI and the Gower peninsula to investigate exceptional coastal habitats, refine identification skills, and see how we work alongside conservation groups to help protect these unique environments. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 24, August 2026 12:30 - Fri 28, August 2026 15:00
Join us on this 5‑day residential set in the biodiverse Box Hill Estate, in the heart of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. This course offers a range of activities and talks, including hands‑on conservation work, a visit to the Knepp Rewilding Estate Project, and features an inspiring talk from Cambridge University ecologist Professor Ed Turner. Alongside this we’ll be working towards you gaining your John Muir Award. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 26, October 2026 12:30 - Fri 30, October 2026 15:00
Join us on this 5‑day residential set in the biodiverse Box Hill Estate, in the heart of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. This course offers a range of activities and talks, including hands‑on conservation work, a visit to the Knepp Rewilding Estate Project, and features an inspiring talk from Cambridge University ecologist Professor Ed Turner. Alongside this we’ll be working towards you gaining your John Muir Award. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 26, October 2026 12:30 - Fri 30, October 2026 15:00
Take part in conservation first-hand at Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, working with rangers to protect endangered species and exploring by foot and canoe in search of otters and other wildlife. Go behind the scenes at Dartmoor Zoo, get hands-on in the labs at Plymouth University, and meet local farmers and volunteers to see how people are making positive changes for nature. This residential is open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
